There is now another federal grant program, in addition to the Pell Grant. The new ACG Grant has just come into play with some new legislation that has been passed by the government. There are a few students who are going to be eligible for this new grant.

First off the grant is for first and second year students only and those students must have completed high school after January 1st, 2005. To be eligible for the ACG Grant you must have also completed a rigorous program of academics in high school. There are several programs that you could have completed to be eligible. The amount of the grant is up to $750 for first year students and up to $1300 for second year students.

The ACG Grant has a few other requirements. You must have held a cumulative 3.0 grade point average in high school and you must be a United States Citizen. The final piece of the ACG puzzle is that you must be eligible for the Pell Grant as well.

You can find very detailed information here about the ACG Grant.

ACG Grants Updated

The Academic Competitive Grant (ACG) will not be funded beyond the 2010-11 academic year and will not be offered to any students in 2011-12. The purpose of the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is to encourage high school students to take the most challenging courses their schools offer. ACG is a relatively new form of aid that came out in 2006. When you get your Pell Grant, which does not have to be repaid, the amount of that money plus the ACG cannot exceed the total cost of your school attendance. The only caveat to the ACG is, if a large number of students qualify for it, each student may have to settle for a smaller chunk of money.

Other Requirements for the ACG

Not only do you have to be a U.S. citizen and receive the Pell Grant, but you also must meet the following requirements:

1. Enroll in college at least part-time in any degree program
2. Be a first or second year undergraduate OR be enrolled in a certificate program that is at least one year in length
3. Have a minimum 3.0 GPA if you are applying as a second-year student

If you are still in high school, your academic course load should be recognized by the Secretary of Education. Any honors or advanced placement class is eligible. Anyone who has taken at least two IB classes with a score of four or higher is eligible as well. If you have taken AP classes, you need to score at least a three on the exams. Otherwise, you must have taken four consecutive years of English classes, three years of math up to Algebra II, three years of science, including one year each of at least two of the following courses: biology, chemistry, and physics, three years of social studies, and a year of a foreign language. Of course, you need passing grades in all of your classes to be eligible for the ACG.

The federal government has already disbursed over one billion dollars of ACG money to deserving students. Take a chance and apply today!